C# Polymorphism

In this chapter you will learn:

  1. What is Polymorphism
  2. Example for Polymorphism

Description

Polymorphism means a variable of type x can refer to an object that subclasses x. In detail:

  • Derived class objects can be used whereever a base class object is expected.
  • The virtual method is invoked on each of the derived classes, not the base class.

Example

For instance, consider the following method:


using System; //w  w  w.  j  a  v  a2  s  .c o m
 
class Shape {  
  double pri_width;  // private 
  double pri_height; // private 
  string pri_name;   // private 
  
  public Shape() {  
    width = height = 0.0;  
    name = "null";  
  }  
  
  public Shape(double w, double h, string n) {  
    width = w;  
    height = h;  
    name = n;  
  }  
  
  public Shape(double x, string n) {  
    width = height = x;  
    name = n;  
  }  
  
  public Shape(Shape ob) {  
    width = ob.width;  
    height = ob.height;  
    name = ob.name;  
  }  
  
  // Properties for width, height, and name 
  public double width { 
    get { return pri_width; } 
    set { pri_width = value; } 
  } 
 
  public double height { 
    get { return pri_height; } 
    set { pri_height = value; } 
  } 
 
  public string name { 
    get { return pri_name; } 
    set { pri_name = value; } 
  } 
  
  public void showDim() {  
    Console.WriteLine("Width and height are " +  
                       width + " and " + height);  
  }  
  
  public virtual double area() {   
    Console.WriteLine("area() must be overridden");  
    return 0.0;  
  }   
}  
  
class Triangle : Shape {  
  string style; // private 
    
  public Triangle() {  
    style = "null";  
  }  
  
  public Triangle(string s, double w, double h) : 
    base(w, h, "triangle") {  
      style = s;   
  }  
  
  public Triangle(double x) : base(x, "triangle") {  
    style = "isosceles";   
  }  
  
  public Triangle(Triangle ob) : base(ob) {  
    style = ob.style;  
  }  
  
  // Override area() for Triangle. 
  public override double area() {  
    return width * height / 2;  
  }  
  
  // Display a triangle's style. 
  public void showStyle() {  
    Console.WriteLine("Triangle is " + style);  
  }  
}  
  
class Rectangle : Shape {   
  public Rectangle(double w, double h) : base(w, h, "rectangle"){ }  
  
  public Rectangle(double x) : base(x, "rectangle") { }  
  
  // Construct an object from an object.  
  public Rectangle(Rectangle ob) : base(ob) { }  
  
  // Return true if the rectangle is square. 
  public bool isSquare() {   
    if(width == height) return true;   
    return false;   
  }   

  // Override area() for Rectangle. 
  public override double area() {   
    return width * height;   
  }   
}  
  
class DynShapes {  
  public static void Main() {  
    Shape[] shapes = new Shape[5];  
  
    shapes[0] = new Triangle("right", 8.0, 12.0);  
    shapes[1] = new Rectangle(10);  
    shapes[2] = new Rectangle(10, 4);  
    shapes[3] = new Triangle(7.0);  
    shapes[4] = new Shape(10, 20, "generic"); 
  
    for(int i=0; i < shapes.Length; i++) {  
      Console.WriteLine("object is " + shapes[i].name);  
      Console.WriteLine("Area is " + shapes[i].area());  
  
      Console.WriteLine();    
    }  
  }  
}

The code above generates the following result.

Next chapter...

What you will learn in the next chapter:

  1. What are C# Virtual Function Members
  2. Example for Virtual Function Members
  3. virtual methods from parent classes
  4. What is new versus virtual
  5. What are virtual properties and how to use virtual properties
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C# Class Inheritance
C# base Keyword
C# seal Functions and Classes
C# Abstract Classes and Abstract Members
C# Polymorphism
C# Virtual Function Members
C# Override methods
C# Shadow inherited members
C# as operator
C# is operator